Thursday in Hawkville (a.m. edition)

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WORD OF THE DAY
Bumpus. As in, Michael. As in, the rookie wide receiver from Washington State.

When training camp began, Bumpus was an afterthought at a position where the Seahawks already had too many young receivers. His play – not to mention the shoulder injury that will sideline leading receiver Bobby Engram for six to eight weeks – has slapped a think-again exclamation point on the situation.

“He’s shown. I like what he’s done,” coach Mike Holmgren said after the one hour, 45 minute padless practice. “We’ve talked about our young receivers and typically the same names (are involved in), how are they going to fit?

But in the preseason opener against the Vikings, when 15 players caught passes, Bumpus caught the most (three for 51 yards). Bumpus also has been getting work on kickoff returns.

PLAYER OF THE DAY
Patrick Kerney. It’s not that he did anything spectacular. But when the team’s Pro Bowl defensive end completes his first full practice of camp, it’s definitely newsworthy.

Kerney, who had been sidelined with a strained left calf, stepped in on the left side in the first drill and still was there in the final one.

“It felt great,” Kerney said. “To start off practice, I was a little slow, cautious. But I just built up confidence with every step and really felt great out there – cornering, pushing, hitting run blocks. It felt real good.”

Kerney expects to practice in full pads next week – after the team’s preseason home opener against the Bears on Saturday night; and when they move to their new facility in Renton starting Monday.

The interesting aspect of Kerney’s return is that first-round draft choice Lawrence Jackson remained at right end with the No. 1 line. Jackson had moved into the spot this week, with incumbent starter Darryl Tapp sliding to the left side to replace Kerney. This morning, Tapp was working on the left side with the No. 2 line.

PLAYS OF THE DAY
Offense: Rookie tight end John Carlson picked up the first down on a third-and-9 pass from Charlie Frye, despite cornerback Josh Wilson slapping the ball as he was cradling it.

Defense: Free safety Brian Russell scooped up a ball that had been slapped from the grasp of running back Julius Jones and returned it up the sideline for what would have been a touchdown.

POSITION WATCH
Kicker. Veteran Olindo Mare and rookie Brandon Coutu will swap duties against the Bears, with Mare kicking off and Coutu handling field goals and PATs.

In the preseason opener against the Vikings last Friday night, Mare kicked two field goals and four PATs, while Coutu’s kickoffs went to the 5, 2 yards deep, 3, 1, 2, 4 and 8. He also made a tackle after one of his kicks was returned 53 yards.

This morning, Coutu missed two of his four field-goal attempts – one on a low liner that went under the crossbar, the other wide left.

INJURY REPORT
Finally, some good injury news. In addition to Kerney, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (back), fullback Leonard Weaver (hamstring) and right tackle Sean Locklear (knee) returned to practice. Hasselbeck and Locklear were limited to individual drills.

Holmgren labeled Hasselbeck’s back “more of an irritation than an injury” at this point, and said the team’s starting quarterback would be able to play if Saturday night’s preseason home opener was a regular-season game.

For the second time this week, Holmgren expressed concern about the valuable time Spencer is missing.

“He’s been tested a lot,” Holmgren said. “He just can’t do some stuff now, the pain won’t let him.”

The trainers altered Spencer’s rehab three days ago and each day Spencer has improved, Holmgren said.

Still, he added, “I hopeful, but it’s one of those situations where he’s got to come back, and sooner than later.”

QUOTE UNQUOTE
“Joe does everything right. He’s just a little bit thin. He’s got skinny legs.” – Holmgren, on former Oregon State tight end Joe Newton, who’s currently the fourth player at a position where only three will make the 53-man roster